Beyond the Picket Fence

THIS WEEKEND

2010-03-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

After a slow start, a BUNCH of snow, and a lack of vendors the Penning's Sunday Farmer's Market has called it quits. The good news...I still have a show on Saturday! And what a show it will be! It has been a long time coming, but it is sure to be a great time!

The snow tried to hold us back but not for long. Finally!!! Music, art, and lots of tattoos: this year the event is sponsored by More Sugar Magazine, Zahra’s Studio (Beacon), Black Star Productions, and the Hudson Valley Renegades (Minor League baseball team). There will be local bands, artists and over 40 vendors including members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team (Pulp Sushi, Beyond The Picket Fence and LexieJewel) will be onsite as will a cash bar for those of age (festival is 18+, sorry kids). Admission is $5.00 and the proceeds go to the Hudson Valley Renegades Pitch For Kids Fund.

You can check out the facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fishkill-NY/The-Second-Annual-Hudson-Valley-Social-Pariah-Festival/187528347295?ref=ts

Saturday, March 27, 2010 Second Annual Hudson Valley Social Pariah Festival Holiday Inn 542 Rte. 9, Fishkill, NY. 11 AM-9 PM

It's been a LONG time!

2010-03-23T07:06:00.001-07:00

but I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I pretty much overextended myself this past year and have had no time for anything but producing and selling :(

However, that being said...I have 2 shows this weekend!! So right now, and until Monday (or next Saturday) when I have time, this is my life:

I will post more about my shows later this week!!

Tuscan Dream!

2009-07-16T12:42:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is! It is pretty basic, but it is strong!

I went with the Tuscan theme...but loved the Orange ideas, and the French Star was a GREAT suggestion! I was tempted to change my mind at the last min, but I will be good! If I don't I will change it a million times ;)

The soap isn't listed in my shop yet, but it is available...I will be listing it tomorrow morning!

Thanks for all the help everyone and...

www.christiecottage.etsy.com

your FREE bar will be in the mail ASAP!!

Things are GROWING!!!

2009-07-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here are just a couple reasons why I love summer!

This year my backyard neighbor came and cut almost all of my lilacs down...hopefully they will grow back!? but at least I still had a couple

Usually this spot is shrouded with the lilacs! Oh well, it is still a great little spot in our yard. Our little city oasis!

My husband picked these out a couple years ago. We were shocked at how they multipied this year....

...and of course my Topsy Turvey! This thing is so cool! It is much bigger now (I just haven't gotten any pics in awhile) I can't wait to see what happens when the tomatoes get bigger!

Our daily storm

2009-06-26T06:13:00.001-07:00

It is getting a little old. It has rained almost everyday for the entire month of June! It doesn't rain all day, but it is mostly overcast, and we get at least one good hit at some point. I caught the storm coming in last night.

At least it was pretty!

My new soap needs a name!

2009-06-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am looking for a name for my new soap...

Anise and Orange w/ french green clay.

It is perfect for oily skin! It is a muted green color (I will try to get a picture tonight)

Any thoughts??? whoever comes up with the perfect name wins a free bar!!

(remember to leave an email so I can contact you if you win!)

Great Blog Giveaway!!

2009-05-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

She is giving away a handmade credit/buisness card holder!!

http://4madbirds.blogspot.com/2009/05/post-and-follow-win.html

Hurry!!! The winner will be picked on the 31st of May!!!

Video!!!! WhooHoo!!!

2009-05-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

It was a LONG day?!! And a very long wait to see the outcome!! But I think it came out great!!! What do you think?

Fresh & Clean!

2009-04-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs hand cream, and we have one for everyone! Finally back in our shop we are featuring our Fresh & Clean Hand & Body Cream. This hand cream is great for teachers, kids, guys, frequent hand washers. All of our hand & body creams have the same base. They are chock full of wonderful skin loving butters and oils. They are rich and velvety, and a little goes a long way. They even last through hand washings!

The essential oil blend in this formula gives it a fresh scent, and they are said to be nature’s antibacterial busters! When antibacterial soap started to boom I was always skeptical. I remembered in biology learning about good vs. bad bacteria…that you actually need some bacteria. Now that exact thing is all over the internet. Some even say that we are lowering our childrens defenses with the stuff. However, when you are sitting in an office or classroom filled with the sniffles you want some kind of defense; this one is made by Mother Nature herself.

We aren't saying that this is the "cure" (we all know mother nature can throw us a curveball...snow in April?!?!?!) but it is a good alternative to all those chemicals we tend to slather all over ourselves!

My trip to the local hardware store...

2009-04-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

I can't say that I like the local hardware store is now a huge conglomerate...but I do appreciate the 1/2 price seed sale...and the bargain bin of leftover lumber!

For the low price of about $15 I got seeds and the makings of a raised "salad garden"!!! Can't go wrong there!!!

I spent my afternoon clearing out my little shade garden and planting wildflowers. I also planted my peas! Last year it was a bust...so hopefully this year will be better.

Tho...clearing out my garden always leaves me thinking...did I pull out weeds, or something that I had bought the year before and painstakingly planted...hoping for a resurgence the year to follow...I guess we will never know.

Perfecting my space...

2009-04-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

It is a work in progress...and I am sure always will be! But I have been working on my space recently. Painting, rearranging, beautifying! My workspace is my basement. I love it because it is mine...is doesn't interfere with daily life. I can have projects going on and still make dinner or have company. So, I thought I would give a little insight into what has gone on in these last couple weeks:

I cleared everything out...and painted my walls and my shelf above my table. My husband made me a great work table...and my supply shelf is a sample from his job!

That still left me with a lot of stuff...stuff that didn't have a place to call home

So, I did some rearranging...my dearest friend made me a curtain! and I put down an area rug! I also added a bunch of artwork! Curtains and rugs sure do change the feel of a space! And now I am back to work...

...what a mess I can make!

Upcoming Farmers Market!

2009-04-06T06:39:00.001-07:00

Everyday that passes I get a bit more nervous...my farmers market starts on June 6th! It will be the first that I have participated in, and it is every Saturday until October 17th!!! I am afraid that I will have too much stock, or not enough and I won't be able to keep up. And now I want to add another market on Sundays. Am I crazy?

The biggest question is:

will I make enough to support the habit that it is obviously going to create?!?!

PIF Giveaway!

2009-03-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Twitter is my new best friend...I love all of the things I find crossing my screen, new products, great apps, giveaways!!! So I came across a Pay-It-Forward Giveaway yesterday, and the print was too good to let go! (Isn't it great!? Check out her site http://www.junepfaffdaley.etsy.com)

So now here I am...with my own PIF Giveaway! I am will send the first two people to comment two soaps of their choosing!!

Just check out my shop, Beyond the Picket Fence, and let me know which two you would like.

The only thing I ask in return is that you agree to play, which means that you also give something away on your blog. Positive multiplication. Happy Wednesday!

Got Spring Fever? Check out our Spring Cleaning Sale!

2009-03-06T07:37:00.001-08:00

Have that urge to clean your entire house, open all the windows and get that staleness out of your life?!?!? This weekend could be the one to do it! It's going to be 60 degrees here! And after the house is all clean why not move on to your bod!

I am here to help you in your cleaning frenzy with 25% off everything (not including shipping) in my shop!!

No codes no twists, just buy away and I will refund you through paypal or send you a revised invoice...whatever you like!

Happy Shopping!!

Just joined a local street team!

2009-02-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

I attend a great meeting today with some great local artists also involved with Etsy! It was great to meet everyone, and I am amazed at how talented everyone was. I am a true fan of local work, and many towns around me are artist towns, and it was amazing to see people's work up close and to meet them as well.

Here are a few of the great people (well, at least there shops) that I met today:

Sneak Attack!!!

2009-02-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

My etsy team is the sponsor of a sneak attack tonight!!! The shop was announced at 7...and better late than never it is tlhprints.etsy.com she has wonderful address labels and announcement cards...they are all so cute!! (and the cost is low!! we all love that!) So if you have a couple min check out her shop and show her your support!!!

Finally...Some new soaps!

2009-02-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas went very well for me. I sold out of most of the soaps in my shop!! And since the holiday I have been trying to get back on my feet! And this week most of the soaps that I made at finally ready to go!! I finally feel like I am accomplishing something. Here are a few that I just listed!

Chai Tea with Milk & Honey

Made with real Chai Tea, Whole Milk, and local Organic Honey, this bar is a delight! There is no added scent aside from the tea base, so it is light and smooth with a hint of vanilla.

Orange Cypress with Shea Butter

This soap has a high consentration of Shea Butter and the sweet smell of Oranges, and a small hint of Cypress to even it out. It has a creamy lather and a fresh scent. It is the perfect spring soap!

Herbal Shampoo Bar

This bar has a dense creamy lather that is sure to get your hair clean, while also being gentle on your scalp. I have also added scalp loving essential oils to give it that little extra something!

I will be listing more shortly, but at least this is a start!!

Big Re-opening Sale at KRF!

2009-02-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

As you may know I am part of a wonderful group on Etsy called The Soap Artisan Friends of Etsy (SAFE) team (formerly CYA team). Everyone is so wonderful there and we love to support each other. Today I am showing my support!!!

Check out

Klamath River's Finest

♥GRAND RE-OPENING CELEBRATION SALE♥

Buy 3 soaps, get one free

Buy 2 lotions, get one free

Buy 4 lip potions, get one free

~~~put your free item, in choice of scent, in message to buyer box~~~

RAFFLE TIME!Couldn't wait to put up our giveaway raffle! Everyone who places an order will have their name placed in a bowl; our son, Chazz, will pick out a name. The person picked will get a surprise box full of KRF goodies! Soaps, lotions, maybe some lip balms-who knows what will be in the box?! If you order twice (say you order one soap, then decide to make another order for lotion) you get 2 chances. Drawing will be held Sunday, February 15, 2009.

Prize worth at least $20.

CYA/SAFE Team Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2009-02-11T05:34:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I just wanted to drop a quick note that my Esty Soap Team (The Soap Artisan Friends of Etsy) are having a Valentine's Day Giveaway!!! We are giving away 2 baskets filled with the best bath & body items around!! The baskets are valued at about $60 each!! And there will be some of my goodies in both baskets. Here are the details:

The question is simple:
Do you LOVE Valentine's Day?
Post your comment and you could win a basket filled with some of the CYA/SAFE team's best goodies!! The best part is we will be giving away two baskets filled with soaps, lip balms, candles, perfumes, bath salts and more!!! One for the sweetest answer, and one for the funniest!

Visit the Clean-Up Your Act blog at http://cyateam.blogspot.com/ for more details and a chance to win one of these great baskets!!!

Gook Luck, and Happy Valentine's Day!

My New Favorite Blog!!

2009-02-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

My sister and I are 7 years apart...she is younger ;~) but we were always involved in the same things. We were both swimmers, liked the same music, same TV shows (I taught her well) But the one thing that I always had was alcohol ...she is 7 years younger! That is a lot of drinking!!

But then one day it happened...a group of girls running at me screeching "How's Meg?!?!?!?! We miss her?!?!?! What is she doing?!?!?! blahblahblah" my safe haven had been infiltrated!! But at least I drink better than them, right? No Bud Lt for this girl...and I have quite a taste and a bit of knowledge about wine. So I am a sophisticated drinker, not just a gaggle of girls...

Well, now I have even lost that!! One of them has become a beer and wine expert!! She knows more than all of my friends put together! And she is sharing her knowledge with you via her blog The Beer Wench. Not only is she chock full of valuable beer information, she is cute as heck!

**Update** Today (02.07.09) is The Beer Wench's First Birthday!!! Show her some love on this joyous of days!!

I need a little Spring!

2009-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

I don't know about everyone else, but this winter is completely draining me! It is freezing...and not like 30 degrees freezing, but 5 degrees freezing! I knwo that the winter ground is brown and icky, but even that would be nice right now. I have not seen grass, even dead grass, since December!

So, I started to making some Spring soaps. The first one on my list was my Gardener 's Delight. I am so happy that it is fianlly done. I just carry it around with me and smell it. It brightens my day!

This one doesn't smell like flowers or grass or anything, just growth. It is crisp and fresh, it smells strongly of Eucalyptus & Tee Tree. It is perfect for gardening because it is a bit gritty with added pumice powder to get out that ground in dirt, but the oils make your skin soft and smooth. Don't be fooled though....it is a perfect kitchen soap as well!!

There are a lot of great properties to this soap,

but right now the best property is it makes me happy!

It's that kind of a day...a SICK day! Yuck!

2008-12-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I came home from work ready to go to work on an order and prepare for my shows this weekend. My wonderdful and supportive husband made me some dinner while I melted down some oils. When dinner was ready I started to walk up the stairs, buy the time I got to the top my legs were burning and my head felt like it was still at the first step!!

So today I stayed home. I am resting and drinking pleanty of fluids. I have two shows this weekend...I can not be sick...and I am busting out my trusty diffuser (it is a soapstone diffuser, which isn't the best as heat makes essential oils more volitile, but it works for me for now!) and burning some Eucalyptus & Lemmon Essential oils. I love the combination of Eucalyptus and Lemon, even for people who aren't sick. They freshen the air leaving a light, crispness to the air. If you use a candle diffuser remember to always have enough water in the pool. Heat will change the composition of an oil, burning them is not a good thing!

Eucalyptus is great for colds and flu. It helps to releive headaches as well as muscle aches.

Lemon detoxifies the air while lifting your spirits!

I may have to add some Lavender to the mix to calm my nerves...the dogs have been barking at a invisible squierl all morning!! That's just great for an extreme headache!

Welcome to my new blog!

2008-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know a little bit more about me and Beyond the Picket Fence...so here goes!

I haven't always been a Bath & Body creator...here is how it all came to be:

When I was little I had a terrible reaction to bubble bath, so no bubbles for me. It was sad, but I got over it...but baths with no stuff isn't as much fun. So I became a shower person. Never thought much about it after that.

Fast forward to college: My roommate worked for a high end bath & beauty company, and she started experimenting with essential oils and bath oils. So I became her test subject. No reactions! and suddenly I wasn't so tired and I was happy even when things went wrong...and I smelled great! Yay! I was hooked. She, however, lost interest. So I took all of her books and gave them to my mom to read.

She started to get into the hoeopathic aspect of essential oils, and one day I went home on break and she had gotten a huge shipment of essential oils...she is a dive in head first kinda girl! So we started to experiment with them. We were both hooked! We started with bath oils and massage oils for ourselves. Then we started with M&P soaps. The next time I came home there were 5 gallon barrels of oils. Simply stated by her...I am making soap. Shortly there after we had so much that we didn't know what to do with it all...so we started selling at craft shows. It took off from there.

My mom has since sold her house and her and my dad started traveling the country. They have settled in Arizona! Clear across the country! I was taking classes for my certification in Aromatherapy when I took over the company, I am trying to keep up, but soap is taking over my life! I have reformulated a few of the soaps that weren't the biggest sellers, and created some new ones, expanded the bath line, and overhauled the packaging and labeling. Here is what It has come to be!